Pioneer Press: August 14, 2026

August

8/18 - First Day of School! Doors open at 7:15 am, tardy bell at 7:40 am, school ends at 3:10 pm

8/27 - CAC at 5:30 PM and PTA at 6:00 PM

September

💐 9/21-9/25 - Teacher Assistant Appreciation Week

9/7 - Labor Day Holiday, No School

9/10 - Back to School Night prek, kinder, 1st, 2nd from 5:00-5:45 PM

9/11 - Fall Picture Day

9/15 - International Dot Day! Dress in dots to participate

9/17 - Back to School Night 3rd, 4th, 5th grades from 5:00-5:45 PM

9/21 - Student Holiday, No School, Yom Kippur

9/24 - CAC at 5:30 PM and PTA at 6:00 PM

💐 9/28 - 10/2 - Custodian Appreciation Week

The first day of school is TOMORROW!

Arrival on 1st Day:

• Doors open at 7:15 AM
• Parents give hugs/goodbyes at the yellow "Hug Zone"
• Campus staff will assist students in entering the building and get to their locations
• Prek students will be greeted by their Teacher Assistants
• Students in K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd will walk directly to their classroom (1st day only)
• Students in 4th and 5th grades will gather in the gym

Arrival all other days:

• Doors open at 7:15 AM
• Students in all grade levels will gather in their assigned location. Teachers will walk them to class at 7:35 AM. This will be taught and practiced on the 1st day.
• Beginning Wednesday, August 19, arrival after 7:40 AM will require the adult to park and check in their student(s) in the front office

We have many different ways to get to school here at Patton!

See the routes on the right side of the map below to find what your AM arrival and PM dismissal looks like before the first day of school.

Starting the week of September 4, all campus email communications and reminders will go out through Konstella. Be sure to join Patton so you don't miss anything!

Districtwide budget cuts have affected campuses across AISD. While these challenges extend beyond any one school, our community has the chance to make a meaningful difference here at Patton. Through this fundraiser, PTA is working to help restore important campus support & preserve the strong learning environment that makes Patton so special. Together, we help ensure Patton continues to thrive

PLUS: Your money will go twice as far. All donations up to $25,000 will be matched by an Angel Donor.

FAQ

Why is the school in need of extra money?

Austin ISD is under significant budget constraints due to inflation, loss of enrollment, and stagnant state support and has reduced Patton’s staff from a) 2 full-time assistant principals to 1.5 assistant principals and b) 2 full-time counselors to 1.5 counselors.

If we do not raise funds, will Patton be short on staff?

Patton will use campus funds to maintain two full-time assistant principals for the 2026–2027 school year. However, due to district budget reductions, we will continue with 1.5 counselor positions, as we do not have the campus funding to restore that position to two full-time counselors.

Every school has two funding sources: district-allocated funds and campus-managed funds. Using campus funds to support staffing reduces the resources available for student enrichment, instructional programs, and other campus priorities. Funds raised through this effort will help offset those staffing costs, allowing more campus funds to remain available for the programs and opportunities that directly benefit students.

What other things does the campus fund support?

The campus fund supports many initiatives that are vital to ensure our Pioneers have a quality learning experience. Some of these initiatives include: additional staff positions (a campus-wide tutor), educational software (IXL, HMH Writable), character-building programs (Leader in Me, Safety Patrol, Marathon Kids, Eco Recess), and so much more!

How will my contributions help?

Donations will help by providing appropriate supervision of the following initiatives:

• Leadership – Supports Patton representation at district-wide conversations.
• Safety – Increases response and reaction during routine and crisis events on and off campus.
• Preparedness – Allows adequate planning for medical emergencies, severe weather, or other critical situations.
• Communication – Enhances accessibility to community, parents, staff, and students.
• Staff Support – Provides and protects greater support, coaching, and coverage for classrooms.
• Campus Growth – Dedicates invaluable resources to campus initiatives and school improvement goals.

THANK YOU, Patton Elementary community, family, and friends for your consideration and support of this crucial matter.

AISD Policy Update:

The updated policy allows students at all grade levels to charge up to the equivalent of five breakfast meals and five lunch meals. Previously, elementary and middle school students could charge up to three meals, while high school students could charge up to two meals.

What does this mean for students and families?

This change increases the amount a student's meal account may carry as a negative balance, from approximately $10 to up to $30, depending on meal prices, which vary by level. Families remain responsible for paying any negative meal account balance.

What happens when a student reaches their charge limit?

At AISD, no student is ever denied a meal, regardless of their account balance or ability to pay. Students who are unable to pay or have a negative balance are not identified in any way and may receive the meal of their choice.

Once a student exceeds the charge limit, they receive courtesy meals until their account balance is paid. Under current Austin ISD policy, students may continue to select the meal of their choice regardless of their account balance or meal status. The district covers the cost of these courtesy meals.

Food Service will notify the household of a student with a low or negative meal balance and request payment by letter, email, or text messages. Once a student’s negative balances are cleared, if additional funds are not added, the charge policy immediately starts over.

When available, donated funds received throughout the year are used to offset negative meal account balances. Any remaining negative balances are cleared by the district at the end of each school year.

🗒️ Apply for Free/Reduced Lunch:

Families may apply any of the following way:

• Online: Preferred method for faster processing.

• Create an account and apply at www.SchoolCafe.com/AustinISD, or

• Download and complete an English or Spanish application; email to foodservicebusinesssupport@austinisd.org.

• Paper Applications:

• Available from school front offices.

📅 Important Meal Application Reminders:

30 Day Grace Period:

At the start of each school year, students temporarily receive meals based on their previous year's status (free, reduced-price, or paid) for up to 30 days, or until Austin ISD receives updated eligibility information. After the grace period ends on September 30, 2026, students whose meal eligibility has not been updated will be charged the paid meal price until their current-year eligibility is determined.

RAVE - Recognizing All Valuable Emolyees

Click below to send in a RAVE about a Patton staff member and share what makes them amazing. These RAVES will be shared and staff will be celebrated during staff meetings!

Below are two links containing important information and reminders in regard to visitor conduct when visiting Patton Elementary. Thank you for taking the time to read and review.